Makita Coolboxes
Makita cool box kit keeps your grub and drinks cold on site all day, running off 18V batteries so you are not hunting for a plug.
When you are stuck on a long fit-out, groundwork, or a day in the van between call-outs, a proper Makita cool box beats a soggy sandwich and warm water every time. These Makita cooler box options cover everything from a simple Makita cool bag to a Makita fridge freezer style Makita portable fridge that can cool or warm, using the same Makita 18V platform you already run for tools.
What Are Makita Cool Box and Makita Fridge Units Used For?
- Keeping drinks, milk, and lunch properly cold in the van or on site, so you are not relying on a warm site cabin fridge that is always full.
- Running a Makita fridge 18V on refurbs and first fix where power is not live yet, so you can still store food safely through the day.
- Keeping bait, adhesives, and temperature sensitive bits of kit out of the heat on summer jobs, especially when the van is parked in full sun.
- Using a Makita cooler and warmer to keep food warm on night shifts or winter call-outs, when a cold meal is the last thing you need.
- Working off the Makita battery cool box setup for site moves and snagging days, so your cooler box goes where you go without trailing leads.
Choosing the Right Makita Cool Box
Match the Makita cool box to how you work day to day, not the odd one-off job.
1. Coolbox vs Makita fridge freezer
If you just want cold cans and lunch for a shift, a Makita cooler box is the simple choice. If you need proper temperature control for food over long days, or you want a Makita freezer function for ice packs, look at the Makita fridge freezer style units.
2. 18V only or multi-power options
If you are mostly van and site based, a Makita cool box 18V makes sense because you can swap batteries like any other tool. If you sit on one job with access to power, it is worth choosing a unit that can also run off mains or vehicle supply so you are not burning batteries when you do not need to.
3. Size and layout for real lunches
Do not buy on litres alone. If you are carrying meal prep tubs, milk, and bottles, you want a shape that stacks without crushing everything. If it is mainly drinks for a couple of lads, go for the capacity that fits upright bottles so you are not wasting space.
4. Cooler and warmer models
If you do winter maintenance, shutdowns, or night work, a Makita cooler and warmer is worth having because it keeps food warm without balancing it on a heater in the cabin. If you are summer-only outside, prioritise cooling performance and battery runtime.
Makita Cool Box FAQs
How long does the Makita cooler last?
It depends on battery size, temperature setting, how hot the day is, and how often the lid gets opened. If you pre-chill the contents and keep it shaded in the van, you will get a proper shift out of it; if it is sat in full sun and opened constantly, runtime drops fast.
Can the Makita cooler keep food warm?
On cooler and warmer models, yes, it will hold food warm through the day which is ideal for winter shifts. It is not a cooker though, so heat food properly first, then use the warmer mode to maintain temperature.
Can you charge devices with a Makita cooler?
Some Makita coolbox and Makita fridge models include USB or power outputs, but not all do. Check the product spec before you buy, and remember any device charging will reduce the battery runtime for cooling.
Is a Makita cool box 18V actually cold enough for food safety?
The Makita fridge 18V style units are designed to actively cool and hold a set temperature, which is what you want for food. A basic Makita cooler is better treated like an insulated box that keeps chilled items cold longer, so start with cold food and use ice packs if you are in doubt.
Will a Makita battery fridge flatten the same batteries I need for tools?
Yes, it can if you are running it hard all day on the coldest setting, because it is doing constant work. On site, most lads keep dedicated batteries for the Makita cooler 18V setup, so you are not robbing your drill of power when you need it.
Who Are Makita Coolboxes For on Site?
- Sparks, plumbers, and HVAC engineers doing long call-out days who want a Makita portable fridge in the van that runs off the same batteries as their drill and impact.
- Groundworkers, landscapers, and scaffolders working outdoors all day who need an 18V cool box that actually keeps up in hot weather.
- Joiners, fitters, and site managers on refurbs and fit-outs where mains power is not reliable yet, so a Makita fridge cooler keeps food sorted without a generator.
The Basics: Understanding Makita 18V Cool Box and Makita Fridge Units
These are built to give you site-ready cooling without relying on a plug. The key is knowing what you are buying and what it will realistically do through a shift.
1. Cooler box vs refrigerator style cooling
A Makita cooler box is made for keeping already-chilled items cold for longer, like an ice box you can take anywhere. A Makita refrigerator unit is designed to actively pull the temperature down and hold it there, which is what you want if you are loading it from ambient at the start of the day.
2. Battery runtime is down to settings and conditions
A Makita battery fridge will last much longer if it is pre-chilled, kept out of direct sun, and opened less. Cranking it to the coldest setting and opening it every ten minutes on a hot day will chew runtime, so treat it like a fridge, not a snack box.
3. Cooler and warmer mode is for holding temperature
Warming mode is ideal for keeping cooked food warm on the way to site or through a cold shift, but it is not a Makita cooker. If you need to heat from cold, do that properly first, then use the warmer to maintain it.
Makita Cooler Box Accessories That Make Site Life Easier
A couple of small add-ons make a Makita coolbox far more reliable through a full shift.
1. Spare Makita 18V batteries
If you are running a Makita fridge 18V all day, a spare battery stops you choosing between cold food and finishing the last fix with your impact. Keep one charged in the van and you will not get caught out mid-afternoon.
2. Ice packs and chill blocks
Even with a Makita refrigerator, ice packs help stabilise temperature when the lid is getting opened all day. They are a no-brainer for hot site days and they take the load off the unit, which helps runtime.
3. In-van power lead or adaptor where supported
If your model supports vehicle power, use it for driving between jobs so you are not draining batteries just to keep things cold on the road. It is the difference between arriving with chilled food and starting the day already behind.
Shop Makita Cool Box Options at ITS
Whether you need a compact Makita cool box for the van, a bigger Makita cooler box for the gang, or a Makita fridge freezer style Makita rechargeable refrigerator for longer days, we stock the range in one place. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get sorted before the next shift.
